Energy and the Environment

Illinois has an abudance of resources that energize our economy, including rich agricultural lands, prairie, lakes, and rivers that provide spaces for recreation and wildlife ecosystems. They sustain us and tell a story central to our history and culture going back generations. While abundant, these resources are not unlimited, and we must develop judicious protections to ensure they remain for our children and grandchildren. 

Fortunately, Illinois is also home to cutting-edge technology to efficiently use and preserve these resources. From electric vehicle manufacturing and technology, to biofuels and our national laboratories at Argonne and Fermi, our world-class research is paving a path for sustainability for the nation. Clean, renewable energy supports jobs for Illinoisans in a growing industry and contributes to climate crisis adaption, mitigation, and recovery. 

 The Climate Crisis

It's undeniable that the climate crisis is one of the greatest threats our nation is facing. We are already experiencing the disastrous effects of a changing climate—extreme weather events, chronic floods and droughts, deadly wildfired, and rising sea levels have increased in intensity and frequency in recent years and continue to compound as one disaster quickly followes another. Illinois has seen seen more rainfall events that exceed two inches, greater humidity, milder winters, and more days of extreme heat. Senator Durbin, including with his America’s Clean Future Fund Act, supports enacting commonsense federal laws that would dramatically reduce carbon emissions and prepare for the consequences of the climate crisis. Failing to combat this crisis will have significant repercussions for our economy, national security, and global ecosystems—it must be addressed before it's too late. 

 National Labs

Illinois is home to two of the nation’s most valued national research institutions—Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories. They are critical to U.S. economic growth and global competitiveness. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Durbin has worked to secure robust funding for researchers at Argonne, Fermi, and Illinois’ universities so that they can continue to conduct ground-breaking scientific advancements in fuel efficiency, high energy physics, drug discovery, nuclear energy, the climate crisis, and quantum information science. 

 Great Lakes

The Great Lakes contain approximately 20 percent of all the fresh water in the world are are the largest supply of fresh water in the United States. The Lakes serve as the source of drinking water for nearly 40 million peeople throughout the region and support a wide range of recreational and commercial pursuits. Durbin is dedicated to protecting Lake Michigan by fighting invasice species, reudicing pollution, and supporting Army Corps of Engineers' protects that protect our shorelines and rivers. He has consistently fought industry efforts to discharge increased pollutant into our water and worked with federal and state authorities to ensure that our drinking water standard protect public health.

 Electric Vehicles

Illinois is poised to become a leader in the electric vehicle revolution. Scientists and engineers at Illinois’ national labs have pushed the boundaries of vehicle and battery technology, while union workers across the state are building fleets of electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure. Durbin has secured significant funding to construct electric vehicle charging stations up and down Illinois, and he remains committed to ensuring Illinois is investing in the future of cleaner, electric transportation.

 

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